Two Minutes With ... Howard McGinn

Thursday

Dec 29, 2016 at 6:01 AM

Howard McGinn serves as executive director of Worcester’s First Night event. Worcester’s New Year’s Eve celebration started in 1981. At its heart, First Night is a celebration of the arts, but the event, which features multiple events at sites around the city, serves as an inclusive, family-friendly outing for all. McGinn has led the event five years now, and is looking forward to celebrating this year’s 35th anniversary.

What is First Night? Founded in 1981, First Night Worcester is a private, 501c3 nonprofit arts organization and the oldest First Night in the nation, and is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. Each year it produces the largest arts festival in Central Mass, providing a platform for local and national talent, and a family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration for the community. In addition to its signature arts festival, First Night conducts a variety of outreach initiatives with the Worcester Public Schools during the year. Managed by a small team and an all-volunteer Board, First Night Worcester is funded through a combination of foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, private donations and admission fees. It is not affiliated with any state or local cultural organization.

How did you get involved? An article indicated that the “ball has fallen on First Night” as the organization was facing many challenges. I decided that someone needed to do something to turn things around and preserve an important festival. It helped that I have many friends in the art community that encouraged me.

How long have you been involved? This will be my fifth year as executive director. Time does have a way of sneaking up on you.

What events/performances will take place at this year’s First Night? Nearly 80 performances and activities will take place on New Year’s Eve at First Night venues and Free with Button cultural partners around the region. Performance details, downloadable program and a mobile app info can be found at www. firstnightworcester.org. Event highlights: • Free with Button access to the area’s leading cultural centers on New Year’s Eve. Partners include the EcoTarium, Museum of Russian Icons, Old Sturbridge Village, Salisbury Mansion, Worcester Art Museum and the Worcester Historical Museum. With New Year’s Eve falling on a Saturday this year, we encourage everyone to get out early to explore these cultural treasures, all FREE with a First Night button. • Expanded fireworks display to commemorate First Night’s 35th anniversary, sponsored by Polar Beverages. The fireworks will be set off from the top of Bell Hill around 11:15, and will be visible from virtually anywhere in the First Night footprint. • Worcester Kiltie Band, one of the oldest, functioning bagpipe bands in the U.S., and winner of the 2016 World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland (First Baptist Church). Sponsored by SaintGobain. • Pilgrim Soul Productions performs “A Couple of Blaguards.” A raucous evening of story and song written by Frank McCourt (author of “Angela’s Ashes”) and his brother, Malachy. A bubbling stew of their well-known Irish humor, based on their childhood memories of growing up in poverty-stricken Limerick, Ireland, this brilliantly-structured comedy is a proven crowd-pleaser (Courtyard by Marriott). • Nashville recording artist Steve Dorian, named 2015 Rising Star Winner for CMA Fest by AT&T U-Verse (Ralph’s Diner) • Back by popular demand, Hypnotist/ Comedian Jim Spinnato (Armenian Center) • Cara Brindisi, winner, 2014 Best Solo Acoustic Act, Worcester Music Awards and founder of the Women of Worcester concert series (Ralph’s Diner) • “Masked Living Art” from Behind the Mask - living art installations, roving characters, and spontaneous interactive scenarios (Veteran’s Inc. Kids Zone sponsored by UniBank)

What goes into preparing for the event? First Night is a one-night event, but it takes an entire year to plan. Fundraising efforts are extensive, and will kick off for next year almost immediately following New Year’s Eve. We review literally hundreds of artists to make our selections for each show. Then we start on details like scheduling, venue logistics, promotion, etc. There are a lot of moving parts and it’s a big job, but we love doing it.

What do you get out of doing the event? All of us at First Night Worcester take pride in our annual celebration. I must say, however, the smiles we see on the children’s faces make it worth the effort.

Who brought First Night to Worcester and when did it start? First Night is a national organization that was formed in Boston in the late ‘70s in response to a perceived need for a family-friendly, arts-oriented New Year’s Eve celebration. It didn’t take long for some culturally-minded folks in Worcester to recognize a great idea, and First Night Worcester was formed in 1981. In fact, one of its original founders, Charles Washburn, still sits on our Board.

Does it cost money? Yes. First Night buttons are on sale now and are $12 after Christmas and $15 at the door on New Year’s Eve. A button gets you a full day of family-friendly fun at our Free with Button partners, plus all First Night attractions. It’s a terrific bargain, and the First Night Worcester event is FREE to kids 7 and under. Buttons may be purchased online or at a variety of inperson locations around the region. See www.firstnightworcester.org for details.

How do you keep it different from year to year? We are always on the lookout for new talent, new venue partners and activities to offer at the event. While we do invite some artists back from year to year, the vast majority of our performers are new each year.

What is your favorite part of the night? Just as the fireworks start I take a deep breath. Another successful event, but then again I know we will be planning First Night 2018 right around the corner.